Open Heart Project

Haven't updated this blog in what seems like such a long time...

can't seem to think why, really. 

What have I been busy doing?

Amongst other things joining The Open Heart Project with the most wonderful Susan Piver, a writer and Buddhist Meditation teacher. She has inspired me to come back to meditation practice, and she does so in a way that, wow, how shall I put it, is so practical, down to earth, REAL, accessible that connects with so many issues I, and many others it turns out, face. The stresses of daily life and how to deal with them, our worthiness, and basic goodness. Things I know I need daily reminders of. 

So on a twice weekly basis I receive into my inbox a 10 minute video of Susan guiding meditation, preceded with a small talk, presenting issues of relevance to the practice. There is something so comforting for me to know they are coming. I love her voice and sense of humor, but above all, her HUMUN-ness.

What has it given me so far? A sense of space, a little more focus, and a little, and I say this with great care.. a little more tolerance of myself!

I could go on and on - instead - I recommend you try her out and see what it does for your life.

Susan Piver

infinity

infinity, a photo by Yael Brisker Fine MetalWork on Flickr.

my new logo....drawn by me...

The Power of Loving Presence - A Firsthand Experience

Yesterday I had the honor of hosting my new friend Lydia Hayman of Goodness Greatness Me at my studio-

We had met previously only on Facebook, where we both belong to a business sharing group. Somehow, when she walked in the door, I felt I had known her for years- and almost hugged her straight away (turns out later she felt the same way!)

I had invited her to my studio because I wanted to get to know her and have a chance to show her my Metal creations for real.. to see, feel and get a real sense of them.

We sat and talked - she told me of her path up too this point, and I did as well.

Lydia is a life coach with a background as a successful English teacher, coaching/teaching hundreds of kids over the years. She is a warm loving person- there was something about her presence that felt safe and trustworthy.

 I had been walking around with a lump in my throat and heart for a few days and at one point, while telling her my story- tears welled up, and in her empathic presence, they were able to flow out. Suddenly my whole body posture changed - I felt my spirit lifting- and a sense of relief. As a result, all kinds of ideas on how to leverage myself came up, spontaneously on there own.

I am a great believer in Empathy - that certain quality of presence - that undivided, loving, not-trying-to-fix- things-for-you attention- which plays a powerful, if not THE most powerful, part in healing.

Meeting her was great and I highly recommend her to anyone seeking to work through her emotional relationship with herself. She'll be offering a a small group workshop soon -I know I'll be there - I can't wait to be in her presence again!

I am happy to say she also bought this Hamsa which gives a quality of protection and beauty to any space. Thank you Lydia!

What If?

Photo Credit Elizabeth Bunsen
elizabethbunsen.tyepad.com

What if

What if I didn't have to work

Think about

Survival

About money

Every Morning

Especially those 4 ams

And especially workdays

Waking up

Worrying

Thinking of my long 

To Do's

Some of which

never get done

Like-

the essay  I need to write to receive my certificate

As a therapist 

What if

I could wake up happy

Knowing 

All is Well

Free

To create

Free to just BE

What would it feel like?

Freedom

Space

Contentment

Purpose

Help

Thinking again- How can I help?

How can I utilize my gifts, my goodness

to help others

And

Make enough to sustain myself and the kids...

And some

To feel that freedom?

Ease,

Contentment

Fulfillment

Words that I haven\t yet 

Felt

What's holding me back?

An absolute MUST SEE to anyone who is interested in compassion and empathy and connection...



I'd love to hear how it touched YOU

With Love Yael

Cause for celebration?

I just read this from Pema Chodron: (just looking at her sweet face makes me feel better...)

"In Buddhism we call the notion of a fixed identity “ego clinging.” It’s how we try to put solid ground under our feet in an ever-shifting world. Meditation practice starts to erode that fixed identity. As you sit, you begin to see yourself with more clarity, and you notice how attached you are to your opinions about yourself. Often the first blow to the fixed identity is precipitated by a crisis. When things fall apart in your life, you feel as if your whole world is crumbling. But actually it’s your fixed identity that’s crumbling. And as Chögyam Trungpa used to tell us, that’s cause for celebration."

It was perfectly timed for me, because this morning I woke up in a completely different mood, in direct opposition to how I felt yesterday - feeling panicky, disliking myself, with so much negative self talk... Obviously, these are the moments when it's hard to implement all the teachings, the meditation the Nonviolent Communication, Mindfulness , The Work, years of therapy - everything seems to crumble, as she puts it. If I would say the things I say to myself to someone else they would be out of here in a second!

 A friend commented: Maybe that's just how you are- with moods swinging back and forth?

Suddenly a voice inside says, so what are you getting from all this? Just let yourself BE for heaven's sake. Maybe there is nowhere I HAVE to be or things I MUST achieve...let things BE as they are. 

So I'm back to taking it, moment by moment - gently, somewhat more compassionately, with myself...

An Eye for an Eye...

Yesterday I got a call from a mother of one of my son's classmates. She told me that my son Tom had verbally insulted her son and had made derogatory comments about his parents, their home, and him. 

She was hurt particularly because they had always welcomed him into their home and he had spent a good few hours there. Though she did acknowledge that her son is not exactly an angel, I sensed that she was taking it personally.

I listened quietly, thanked her for telling me and promised I would talk to him.

"What happened?" I asked.

" He and I are always fighting" he answered "but this time I really got upset because he called my sister fat, and if someone insults my family, I'll let him have it!"

" So you really got upset, didn't you?" 

"Yes".

And then Mahatma Ghandi came to mind.

" Do you know what 'an eye for an eye' means?" He had never heard of it, well he's barely thirteen...

Supposedly somewhere in the Bible it is said that if someone hurts you, you must return in the same manner. I explained to Tom that this strategy has left many people dead and suffering throughout history.

 As Mahatma Ghandi put it: " An eye for an eye keeps the whole world blind"

I said, " Just because he said awful things to you, doesn't mean that you have to stoop down to his level. After all, why do people do things like that? He must have been bored, or wanting attention - and it's sad that he has to behave that way"

"So what could I do?" 

" Just walk away..."

I could see that he was beginning to get it and I left the matter. It leaves me wondering where he got the notion that he has to "get back at him?"

On the eve of the Jewish New Year I pray that all human beings and animals will live in Peace on this planet, and find different strategies to fill their needs.